Licorice

The root of the licorice plant is used throughout the world mostly to help with chest coughs and to hide the bitter or acrid taste of other medicinal plants.

Ulcers During a recent visit to Japan, I interviewed Dr. Takagi, Dean of Pharmacy, at the University of Tokyo. He was researching the values of ginseng, peony, and licorice. He and his colleagues had concluded that licorice can inhibit gastric secretion, and would be useful for those who had gastri, ulcers. Japanese herbalists use the combination of licorice and peony to reduce sharp and intense pain, he told me.

To Release The root of the plant releases its sweet taste and healing mucilage through boiling in water. The juice can be hardened into different shapes the origin of the original licorice lozenge.

Tea To add sweetness, use licorice in any herbal tea. Licorice has the ability to help the system retain fluid. It can be used by thin and dehydrated people to great advantage, but should not be used by those who tend to retain fluid.

Poultice Simmer licorice sticks and flaxseed together to make a healing paste to use on nonmalignant growths.

Influenza An old Swiss mountain antiflu remedy: Combine a handful of the bruised licorice root, bruised wormwood leaves, sage leaves, and speedwell to a pint of boiling water. Drink some twice a day during epidemics. Use a spoonful of this preparation every hour if you catch the flu. (Also see Cinnamon and Cayenne in My Favorite Herbs.)

Hoarseness and Bronchitis Simmer sticks of licorice root with such herb teas as peppermint, chamomile, ginger, ginseng, marshmallow, or comfrey. These combinations will gently stimulate the kidneys and bowel function.

Alter Disease State This is one of the most used herbs in that traditional oriental materia medica. The Chinese feel it normalizes the body (is an alterative) from negative to healthy state.

Hypoglycemia Some hypoglycernia patients feel relief from symptoms with several cups of licorice tea a day.